Polypropylene composition and molded article

ABSTRACT

A polypropylene composition made from or containing(i) component (1) made from or containing a propylene homopolymer or copolymer containing 0 to 0.5% by weight of an ethylene-derived unit;(ii) component (2) made from or containing an ethylene/propylene copolymer containing 15 to 30% by weight of an ethylene-derived unit; and(iii) 0.01 to 1.0 parts by weight of a crystal nucleating agent based on a total of 100 parts by weight of component (1) and component (2);wherein1) the Mw/Mn value of xylene insolubles (XI) is in the range of 6 to 20,2) the weight ratio of component (1) to component (2) is in the range of 82:18 to 90:10,3) the intrinsic viscosity of xylene solubles (XSIV) is in the range of 2.5 to 3.4 dl/g,4) the MFR (at 230° C. under a load of 2.16 kg) is in the range of 3 to 10 g/10 min.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

In general, the present disclosure relates to the field of chemistry. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to polymer chemistry. In particular, the present disclosure relates to polypropylene compositions and molded articles thereof.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

For housings of home electric appliances, focus applies to mechanical characteristics such as in the areas of impact resistance and stiffness as well as appearance such as gloss. In some instances, housings of home electric appliances have been produced using ABS resin.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[1] In a general embodiment, the present disclosure provides a polypropylene composition made from or containing:

-   -   (i) component (1) made from or containing a propylene         homopolymer or copolymer containing 0 to 0.5% by weight of an         ethylene-derived unit, based upon the total weight of the         propylene homopolymer or copolymer;     -   (ii) component (2) made from or containing an ethylene/propylene         copolymer containing 15 to 30% by weight of an ethylene-derived         unit, based upon the total weight of the ethylene/propylene         copolymer; and     -   (iii) 0.01 to 1.0 parts by weight of a crystal nucleating agent         based on a total of 100 parts by weight of component (1) and         component (2);     -   wherein     -   1) the Mw/Mn value of xylene insolubles (XI) of the         polypropylene composition as measured by GPC is in the range of         6 to 20,     -   2) the weight ratio of component (1) to component (2) is in the         range of 82:18 to 90:10,     -   3) the intrinsic viscosity of xylene solubles (XSIV) of the         polypropylene composition is in the range of 2.5 to 3.4 dl/g,         and     -   4) the MFR (at 230° C. under a load of 2.16 kg) of the         polypropylene composition is in the range of 3 to 10 g/10 min.         [2] In some embodiments, components (1) and (2) are polymers         obtained by polymerizing propylene and ethylene using a catalyst         made from or containing: (a) a solid catalyst made from or         containing magnesium, titanium, a halogen, and an electron donor         compound selected from succinate-based compounds, (b) an         organoaluminum compound, and optionally (c) an external electron         donor compound.         [3] In some embodiments, the crystal nucleating agent is         selected from the group consisting of phosphoric ester-based         nucleating agents, triaminobenzene derivative-based nucleating         agents, and combinations thereof.         [4] In some embodiments, the polypropylene composition is         further made from or containing not more than 2 parts by weight         of a plate-like inorganic filler based on a total of 100 parts         by weight of component (1) and component (2).         [5] In some embodiments, the present disclosure provides an         injection-molded article made from or containing the         polypropylene composition.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As used herein, a numerical range defined as “X to Y” include both endpoints X and Y.

1. Polypropylene Composition

In some embodiments, the present disclosure provides a polypropylene composition made from or containing components (1) and (2) and a crystal nucleating agent, wherein

(i) component (1) made from or containing a propylene homopolymer or copolymer containing 0 to 0.5% by weight of an ethylene-derived unit, based upon the total weight of the propylene homopolymer or copolymer; and

(ii) component (2) made from or containing an ethylene/propylene copolymer containing 15 to 30% by weight of an ethylene-derived unit, based upon the total weight of the ethylene/propylene copolymer.

(1) Component (1)

In some embodiments, component (1) is a propylene homopolymer or copolymer containing 0 to 0.5% by weight of an ethylene-derived unit, based upon the total weight of the propylene homopolymer or copolymer. A propylene polymer containing 0% by weight of an ethylene-derived unit refers to homo-polypropylene. A propylene/ethylene copolymer containing 0.5% by weight of an ethylene-derived unit refers to a copolymer composed of an ethylene-derived unit and a propylene-derived unit at a weight ratio of 0.5:99.5. In some embodiments, the upper limit of the ethylene-derived unit content in component (1) is not more than 0.4% by weight, based upon the total weight of the propylene homopolymer or copolymer. It is believed that when this content exceeds the upper limit, a decrease in stiffness occurs. In some embodiments, the component (1) contains an ethylene-derived unit and the lower limit of the content of the ethylene-derived unit in component (1) is more than 0% by weight, alternatively not less than 0.1% by weight. In some embodiments, the component (1) contains an ethylene-derived unit and is a random copolymer.

(2) Component (2)

In some embodiments, component (2) is an ethylene/propylene copolymer containing 15 to 30% by weight of an ethylene-derived unit. In some embodiments, the upper limit of the ethylene-derived unit content in component (2) is not more than 30% by weight, based upon the total weight of the ethylene/propylene copolymer, alternatively not more than 27% by weight. It is believed that when this content exceeds the upper limit, a decrease in gloss occurs. In some embodiments, the lower limit of the ethylene-derived unit content in component (2) is not less than 15% by weight, based upon the total weight of the ethylene/propylene copolymer, alternatively not less than 17% by weight. When this content falls below the lower limit, a decrease in impact resistance occurs.

(3) Composition Ratio of Component (1) to Component (2)

In some embodiments, the composition ratio (weight ratio) of component (1) to component (2) is in the range of 82:18 to 90:10, alternatively in the range of 85:15 to 90:10. It is believed that when the content of component (1) exceeds the upper limit, a decrease in impact resistance occurs. It is believed that when the content of component (1) falls below the lower limit, a decrease in stiffness occurs.

(4) Crystal Nucleating Agent

In some embodiments, the polypropylene composition is made from or containing a crystal nucleating agent. As used herein, the term “crystal nucleating agent” refers to an additive used to improve stiffness by controlling the amount and orientation of a crystalline component in a resin. It is believed that because the crystal nucleating agent promotes the solidification of a molten resin during cooling, this agent may impart stiffness or reduce cycle time in injection molding. In some embodiments, the crystal nucleating agent is selected from organic nucleating agents. In some embodiments, the organic nucleating agents are selected from the group consisting of phosphoric ester-based nucleating agents, nonitol-based nucleating agents, sorbitol-based nucleating agents, triaminobenzene derivative-based nucleating agents, metal carboxylate-based nucleating agents, xylitol-based nucleating agents, and rosin-based nucleating agents. In some embodiments, the crystal nucleating agent is selected from the group consisting of phosphoric ester-based nucleating agents and triaminobenzene derivative-based nucleating agents. It is believed this group of nucleating agents promote high stiffness and less production of odor-causing volatile components. In some embodiments, phosphoric ester-based nucleating agents are aromatic phosphoric ester-based nucleating agents. In some embodiments, aromatic phosphoric ester-based nucleating agents are selected from the group consisting of phosphoric acid-2,2′-methylenebis(4,6-di-t-butylphenyl)sodium salt, phosphoric acid-2,2′-methylenebis(4,6-di-tert-butylphenyl)aluminum salt, and phosphoric acid-2,2′-methylenebis(4,6-di-tert-butylphenyl)lithium salt. In some embodiments, the nonitol-based nucleating agent is 1,2,3-trideoxy-4,6:5,7-bis-[(4-propylphenyl)methylene]-nonitol. In some embodiments, the sorbitol-based nucleating agent is 1,3:2,4-bis-o-(3,4-dimethylbenzylidene)-D-sorbitol. In some embodiments, the triaminobenzene derivative-based nucleating agent is 1,3,5-tris(2,2-dimethylpropanamide)benzene. In some embodiments, the metal carboxylate-based nucleating agents are selected from the group consisting of sodium adipate, potassium adipate, aluminum adipate, sodium sebacate, potassium sebacate, aluminum sebacate, sodium benzoate, aluminum benzoate, aluminum di-para-t-butylbenzoate, titanium di-para-t-butylbenzoate, chromium di-para-t-butylbenzoate, and aluminum hydroxy-di-t-butylbenzoate. In some embodiments, the xylitol-based nucleating agents are selected from the group consisting of bis-1,3:2,4-(5′,6′,7′,8′-tetrahydro-2-naphthaldehydebenzylidene)-1-allyl-xylitol, and bis-1,3:2,4-(3′,4′-dimethylbenzylidene)-1-propyl-xylitol. In some embodiments, the rosin-based nucleating agents are selected from the group consisting of rosinic acid metal salt compounds or rosinic acid partial metal salt compounds, which are obtained by reaction of a rosinic acid with a metal. In some embodiments, the rosinic acid is selected from the group consisting of pimaric acid, sandaracopimaric acid, palustric acid, isopimaric acid, abietic acid, dehydroabietic acid, neoabietic acid, dihydropimaric acid, dihydroabietic acid and tetrahydroabietic acid. In some embodiments, the metal is calcium or magnesium. In some embodiments, the rosinic acid partial metal salt compound is a partial calcium salt of a rosinic acid. In some embodiments, the crystal nucleating agent is used alone. In some embodiments, two or more crystal nucleating agents are used in combination.

In some embodiments, the crystal nucleating agent is added through the use of a masterbatch made from or containing a crystal nucleating agent and an olefinic polymer. In some embodiments, the matrix polymer in the masterbatch is made from or containing component (1) or component (2). In some embodiments, the amount of the masterbatch and the concentration of the crystal nucleating agent in the masterbatch are adjusted to provide a weight ratio of component (1) to component (2) in the polypropylene composition within the following range. In some embodiments, the matrix polymer is not made from or containing component (1) or component (2) while the polypropylene composition is made from or containing the matrix polymer as any other component described below.

In some embodiments, the content of the crystal nucleating agent is in the range of 0.01 to 1.0 parts by weight, alternatively in the range of 0.01 to 0.5 parts by weight, alternatively in the range of 0.015 to 0.45 parts by weight, based on a total of 100 parts by weight of components (1) and (2) (hereinafter also referred to as “resin components”). It is believed that when no crystal nucleating agent is incorporated, a decrease in stiffness occurs.

(5) Plate-Like Inorganic Filler

In some embodiments, the polypropylene composition is further made or containing not more than 2 parts by weight, alternatively not more than 1.5 parts by weight, alternatively not more than 1.2 parts by weight, of a plate-like inorganic filler, based on a total of 100 parts by weight of the resin components. In some embodiments, the resin components contain the plate-like inorganic filler, wherein the lower limit of the filler's content is not specified, alternatively is not less than 0.1 parts by weight.

In some embodiments, the plate-like inorganic filler is selected from the group consisting of mica, clay, talc, kaolinite, glass flake, carbonates, hydroxides, oxides, synthetic silicic acids or silicates, and natural silicic acids or silicates. In some embodiments, the carbonates are selected from the group consisting of calcium carbonate and magnesium carbonate. In some embodiments, the hydroxides are selected from the group consisting of aluminum hydroxide and magnesium hydroxide. In some embodiments, the oxides are selected from the group consisting of zinc oxide and magnesium oxide. In some embodiments, the synthetic silicic acids are selected from the group consisting of silicic acid hydrate and silicic acid anhydrate. In some embodiments, the synthetic silicates are selected from the group consisting of hydrated calcium silicate and hydrated aluminum silicate. In some embodiments, the natural silicic acids or silicates are selenite. In some embodiments, the plate-like inorganic filler is talc. In some embodiments, the plate-like inorganic fillers are used alone. In some embodiments, two or more plate-like inorganic fillers are used in combination. In some embodiments, the plate-like inorganic filler has an average particle diameter of 1 to 10 m, alternatively 2 to 7 m. The average particle diameter is measured according to JIS Z 8825.

(6) Characteristics

1) XSIV

As used herein, the term “intrinsic viscosity of xylene solubles (XSIV)” of the polypropylene composition refers to an index for the molecular weight of non-crystalline components in the composition. XSIV is determined by obtaining components soluble in xylene at 25° C. and measuring the intrinsic viscosity of the components. In some embodiments, XSIV is in the range of 2.5 to 3.4 dl/g.

In some embodiments, the XSIV of the polypropylene composition is in the range of 2.6 to 3.3 dl/g.

2) MFR

In some embodiments, the MFR (melt mass-flow rate) of the polypropylene composition is in the range of 3 to 10 g/10 min., as measured at a temperature of 230° C. under a load of 2.16 kg. In some embodiments, the lower limit of MFR is not less than 4 g/10 min, alternatively not less than 6 g/10 min.

3) Mw/Mn of XI

In some embodiments, the Mw/Mn value of xylene insolubles (XI) of the polypropylene composition, as measured by GPC, is in the range of 6 to 20. In some embodiments, the xylene insolubles are crystalline components of the polypropylene composition. In some embodiments, the Mw/Mn of XI serves as an index for molecular weight distribution of the polypropylene composition and is in the range of 6 to 20. In some embodiments, Mw/Mn of XI is in the range of 7 to 20, alternatively in the range 8 to 20, alternatively in the range of 9 to 20. In some embodiments, Mw/Mn of XI is determined by obtaining components insoluble in xylene at 25° C. and subjecting the insoluble components to measurement by GPC (gel permeation chromatography).

4) Viscosity Ratio

In some embodiments, the ratio of the intrinsic viscosity of XS (XSIV) to that of XI (XIIV) (XSIV/XIIV) in the polypropylene composition is in the range of 1.5 to 2.5, alternatively in the range of 1.5 to 2.3. In some embodiments, XIIV is determined by obtaining the xylene insolubles (XI) and measuring intrinsic viscosity of the xylene insolubles.

5) Structure

In some embodiments, the polypropylene composition has a phase structure wherein component (2) is dispersed in component (1).

(7) Other Components

In some embodiments, the polypropylene composition is further made from or containing additives. In some embodiments, the additives are selected from the group consisting of antioxidant, chlorine absorber, heat-resistant stabilizer, light stabilizer, ultraviolet absorber, internal lubricant, external lubricant, antiblocking agent, antistatic agent, antifogging agent, flame retardant, dispersant, copper inhibitor, neutralizer, plasticizer, foam inhibitor, crosslinking agent, peroxide, extender oil, and other organic pigments and other inorganic pigments besides the plate-like inorganic filler mentioned above. In some embodiments, the polypropylene composition is further made from or containing one or more types of resin or rubber other than the resin components. In some embodiments, a crystal nucleating agent is added through the use of a masterbatch made from or containing a crystal nucleating agent and an olefinic polymer. In some embodiments, the matrix polymer in the masterbatch is different from components (1) and (2) and the polypropylene composition is further made from or containing the matrix polymer.

2. Production Method

In some embodiments, the resin components are obtained by a method including the step of polymerizing the starting monomers using a catalyst made from or containing (a) a solid catalyst made from or containing magnesium, titanium, a halogen, and a succinate-based compound serving as an internal electron donor compound, (b) an organoaluminum compound, and optionally (c) an external electron donor compound.

(1) Solid Catalyst (Component (a))

In some embodiments, component (a) is prepared by contacting a magnesium compound, a titanium compound, and an electron donor compound with each other.

In some embodiments, the titanium compound used to prepare component (a) is a tetravalent titanium compound represented by the formula: Ti(OR)_(g)X_(4-g). In some embodiments, R is a hydrocarbon group, X is a halogen, and 0≤g≤4. In some embodiments, the titanium compound is selected from the group consisting of titanium tetrahalides; alkoxytitanium trihalides; alkoxytitanium dihalides; trialkoxytitanium monohalides; and tetraalkoxytitaniums. In some embodiments, the titanium tetrahalides are selected from the group consisting of TiCl₄, TiBr₄, and TiI₄. In some embodiments, the alkoxytitanium trihalides are selected from the group consisting of Ti(OCH₃)Cl₃, Ti(OC₂H₅)Cl₃, Ti(O_(n)—C₄H₉)Cl₃, Ti(OC₂H₅)Br₃, and Ti(OisoC₄H₉)Br₃. In some embodiments, the alkoxytitanium dihalides are selected from the group consisting of Ti(OCH₃)₂Cl₂, Ti(OC₂H₅)₂Cl₂, Ti(O_(n)—C₄H₉)₂Cl₂, and Ti(OC₂H₅)₂Br₂. In some embodiments, the trialkoxytitanium monohalides are selected from the group consisting of Ti(OCH₃)₃Cl, Ti(OC₂H₅)₃Cl, Ti(O_(n)—C₄H₉)₃Cl, and Ti(OC₂H₅)₃Br. In some embodiments, the tetraalkoxytitaniums are selected from the group consisting of Ti(OCH₃)₄, Ti(OC₂H₅)₄, and Ti(O_(n)—C₄H₉)₄. In some embodiments, the titanium compounds are halogen-containing titanium compounds, alternatively titanium tetrahalogenides, alternatively titanium tetrachlorides.

In some embodiments, the magnesium compound used to prepare component (a) is selected from the group consisting of magnesium compounds having a magnesium-carbon bond or a magnesium-hydrogen bond. In some embodiments, the magnesium compound having a magnesium-carbon bond or a magnesium-hydrogen bond is selected from the group consisting of dimethylmagnesium, diethylmagnesium, dipropylmagnesium, dibutylmagnesium, diamylmagnesium, dihexylmagnesium, didecylmagnesium, ethylmagnesium chloride, propylmagnesium chloride, butylmagnesium chloride, hexylmagnesium chloride, amylmagnesium chloride, butylethoxymagnesium, ethylbutylmagnesium, and butylmagnesium hydride. In some embodiments, the magnesium compounds are used in the form of a complex compound with an organoaluminum or the like. In some embodiments, the magnesium compounds are used in liquid or solid form. In some embodiments, the magnesium compound are selected from the group consisting of magnesium halides; alkoxymagnesium halides; aryloxymagnesium halides; alkoxymagnesiums; aryloxymagnesiums; and magnesium carboxylates. In some embodiments, the magnesium halides are selected from the group consisting of magnesium chloride, magnesium bromide, magnesium iodide, and magnesium fluoride. In some embodiments, the alkoxymagnesium halides are selected from the group consisting of methoxymagnesium chloride, ethoxymagnesium chloride, isopropoxymagnesium chloride, butoxymagnesium chloride, and octoxymagnesium chloride. In some embodiments, the aryloxymagnesium halides are selected from the group consisting of phenoxymagnesium chloride and methylphenoxymagnesium chloride. In some embodiments, the alkoxymagnesiums are selected from the group consisting of ethoxymagnesium, isopropoxymagnesium, butoxymagnesium, n-octoxymagnesium, and 2-ethylhexoxymagnesium. In some embodiments, the aryloxymagnesiums are selected from the group consisting of phenoxymagnesium and dimethylphenoxymagnesium. In some embodiments, the magnesium carboxylates are selected from the group consisting of magnesium laurate and magnesium stearate.

In some embodiments, the electron donor compound used to prepare component (a) is referred to as an “internal electron donor compound.” In some embodiments, a succinate-based compound is used as an internal electron donor compound. In some embodiments, the compositions obtained by polymerization using the catalyst have a structure wherein high-molecular-weight and low-molecular-weight components are integrated at a near-molecular level.

As used herein, the term “succinate-based compounds” refers to diesters of succinic acid or diesters of substituted succinic acid. In some embodiments, the succinate-based compounds are represented by formula (I) shown below:

In this formula, the groups R₁ and R₂ are the same as or different from each other, and are each a C₁ to C₂₀ linear or branched alkyl, alkenyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, arylalkyl, or alkylaryl group optionally containing a heteroatom; and the groups R₃ to R₆ are the same as or different from each other, and are each a hydrogen, or C₁ to C₂₀ linear or branched alkyl, alkenyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, arylalkyl, or alkylaryl group optionally containing a heteroatom. In some embodiments, the groups R₃ to R₆ attached to the same carbon atom or to different carbon atoms form a ring.

In some embodiments, R₁ and R₂ are C₁ to C₈ alkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, arylalkyl, or alkylaryl groups. In some embodiments, R₁ and R₂ are selected from primary alkyls, alternatively, branched primary alkyls. In some embodiments, the groups R₁ and R₂ are selected from C₁ to C₈ alkyl groups. In some embodiments, the C₁ to C₈ alkyl groups are selected from the group consisting of methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, n-butyl, isobutyl, neopentyl, and 2-ethylhexyl. In some embodiments, the C₁ to C₈ alkyl groups are selected from the group consisting of ethyl, isobutyl, and neopentyl.

In some embodiments, R₃ to R₅ are each hydrogen, and R₆ is a branched alkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, arylalkyl, or alkylaryl group having 3 to 10 carbon atoms. In some embodiments, the monosubstituted succinate compounds are selected from the group consisting of diethyl-sec-butyl succinate, diethyl thexylsuccinate, diethyl cyclopropylsuccinate, diethyl norbornylsuccinate, diethyl perihydrosuccinate, diethyl trimethylsilylsuccinate, diethyl methoxysuccinate, diethyl-p-methoxyphenylsuccinate, diethyl-p-chlorophenylsuccinate, diethyl phenylsuccinate, diethyl cyclohexylsuccinate, diethyl benzylsuccinate, diethyl cyclohexylmethylsuccinate, diethyl-t-butylsuccinate, diethyl isobutylsuccinate, diethyl isopropylsuccinate, diethyl neopentylsuccinate, diethyl isopentylsuccinate, diethyl (1-trifluoromethylethyl)succinate, diethyl fluorenylsuccinate, 1-ethoxycarbo diisobutyl phenylsuccinate, diisobutyl-sec-butylsuccinate, diisobutyl thexylsuccinate, diisobutyl cyclopropylsuccinate, diisobutyl norbornylsuccinate, diisobutyl perihydrosuccinate, diisobutyl trimethylsilylsuccinate, diisobutyl methoxysuccinate, diisobutyl-p-methoxyphenylsuccinate, diisobutyl-p-chlorophenylsuccinate, diisobutyl cyclohexylsuccinate, diisobutyl benzylsuccinate, diisobutyl cyclohexylmethylsuccinate, diisobutyl-t-butylsuccinate, diisobutyl isobutylsuccinate, diisobutyl isopropylsuccinate, diisobutyl neopentylsuccinate, diisobutyl isopentylsuccinate, diisobutyl (1-trifluoromethylethyl)succinate, diisobutyl fluorenylsuccinate, dineopentyl-sec-butyl-succinate, dineopentyl thexylsuccinate, dineopentyl cyclopropylsuccinate, dineopentyl norbornylsuccinate, dineopentyl perihydrosuccinate, dineopentyl trimethylsilylsuccinate, dineopentyl methoxysuccinate, dineopentyl-p-methoxyphenylsuccinate, dineopentyl-p-chlorophenylsuccinate, dineopentyl phenylsuccinate, dineopentyl cyclohexylsuccinate, dineopentyl benzylsuccinate, dineopentyl cyclohexylmethylsuccinate, dineopentyl-t-butylsuccinate, dineopentyl isobutylsuccinate, dineopentyl isopropylsuccinate, dineopentyl neopentylsuccinate, dineopentyl isopentylsuccinate, dineopentyl (1-trifluoromethylethyl)succinate, and dineopentyl fluorenylsuccinate.

In some embodiments, at least two of the groups R₃ to R₆ are different from hydrogen, and are selected from C₁ to C₂₀ linear or branched alkyl, alkenyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, arylalkyl, or alkylaryl groups optionally containing a heteroatom. In some embodiments, the two groups different from hydrogen are attached to the same carbon atom. In some embodiments, R₃ and R₄ are groups different from hydrogen, and R₅ and R₆ are hydrogen atoms. In some embodiments, the disubstituted succinate compounds are selected from the group consisting of diethyl-2,2-dimethylsuccinate, diethyl-2-ethyl-2-methylsuccinate, diethyl-2-benzyl-2-isopropylsuccinate, diethyl-2-cyclohexylmethyl-2-isobutylsuccinate, diethyl-2-cyclopentyl-2-n-butylsuccinate, diethyl-2,2-diisobutylsuccinate, diethyl-2-cyclohexyl-2-ethylsuccinate, diethyl-2-isopropyl-2-methylsuccinate, diethyl-2-tetradecyl-2-ethylsuccinate, diethyl-2-isobutyl-2-ethylsuccinate, diethyl-2-(1-trifluoromethylethyl)-2-methylsuccinate, diethyl-2-isopentyl-2-isobutylsuccinate, diethyl-2-phenyl-2-n-butylsuccinate, diisobutyl-2,2-dimethylsuccinate, diisobutyl-2-ethyl-2-methylsuccinate, diisobutyl-2-benzyl-2-isopropylsuccinate, diisobutyl-2-cyclohexylmethyl-2-isobutylsuccinate, diisobutyl-2-cyclopentyl-2-n-butylsuccinate, diisobutyl-2,2-diisobutylsuccinate, diisobutyl-2-cyclohexyl-2-ethylsuccinate, diisobutyl-2-isopropyl-2-methylsuccinate, diisobutyl-2-tetradecyl-2-ethylsuccinate, diisobutyl-2-isobutyl-2-ethylsuccinate, diisobutyl-2-(1-trifluoromethylethyl)-2-methylsuccinate, diisobutyl-2-isopentyl-2-isobutylsuccinate, diisobutyl-2-phenyl-2-n-butylsuccinate, dineopentyl-2,2-dimethylsuccinate, dineopentyl-2-ethyl-2-methylsuccinate, dineopentyl-2-benzyl-2-isopropylsuccinate, dineopentyl-2-cyclohexylmethyl-2-isobutylsuccinate, dineopentyl-2-cyclopentyl-2-n-butylsuccinate, dineopentyl-2,2-diisobutylsuccinate, dineopentyl-2-cyclohexyl-2-ethylsuccinate, dineopentyl-2-isopropyl-2-methylsuccinate, dineopentyl-2-tetradecyl-2-ethylsuccinate, dineopentyl-2-isobutyl-2-ethylsuccinate, dineopentyl-2-(1-trifluoromethylethyl)-2-methylsuccinate, dineopentyl-2-isopentyl-2-isobutylsuccinate, and dineopentyl-2-phenyl-2-n-butylsuccinate.

In some embodiments, at least two groups different from hydrogen are attached to different carbon atoms. In some embodiments, R₃ and R₅ are groups different from hydrogen. In some embodiments, R₄ and R₆ are hydrogen atoms or groups different from hydrogen. In some embodiments, R₄ or R₆ is a hydrogen atom (trisubstituted succinates). In some embodiments, the compounds are selected from the group consisting of diethyl-2,3-bis(trimethylsilyl)succinate, diethyl-2,2-sec-butyl-3-methylsuccinate, diethyl-2-(3,3,3-trifluoropropyl)-3-methylsuccinate, diethyl-2,3-bis(2-ethylbutyl)succinate, diethyl-2,3-diethyl-2-isopropylsuccinate, diethyl-2,3-diisopropyl-2-methylsuccinate, diethyl-2,3-dicyclohexyl-2-methyldiethyl-2,3-dibenzylsuccinate, diethyl-2,3-diisopropylsuccinate, diethyl-2,3-bis(cyclohexylmethyl)succinate, diethyl-2,3-di-t-butylsuccinate, diethyl-2,3-diisobutylsuccinate, diethyl-2,3-dineopentylsuccinate, diethyl-2,3-diisopentylsuccinate, diethyl-2,3-(1-trifluoromethylethyl)succinate, diethyl-2,3-tetradecylsuccinate, diethyl-2,3-fluorenylsuccinate, diethyl-2-isopropyl-3-isobutylsuccinate, diethyl-2-tert-butyl-3-isopropylsuccinate, diethyl-2-isopropyl-3-cyclohexylsuccinate, diethyl-2-isopentyl-3-cyclohexylsuccinate, diethyl-2-tetradecyl-3-cyclohexylmethylsuccinate, diethyl-2-cyclohexyl-3-cyclopentylsuccinate, diisobutyl-2,3-diethyl-2-isopropylsuccinate, diisobutyl-2,3-diisopropyl-2-methylsuccinate, diisobutyl-2,3-dicyclohexyl-2-methylsuccinate, diisobutyl-2,3-dibenzylsuccinate, diisobutyl-2,3-diisopropylsuccinate, diisobutyl-2,3-bis(cyclohexylmethyl)succinate, diisobutyl-2,3-di-t-butylsuccinate, diisobutyl-2,3-diisobutylsuccinate, diisobutyl-2,3-dineopentylsuccinate, diisobutyl-2,3-diisopentylsuccinate, diisobutyl-2,3-(1-trifluoromethylethyl)succinate, diisobutyl-2,3-tetradecylsuccinate, diisobutyl-2,3-fluorenylsuccinate, diisobutyl-2-isopropyl-3-isobutylsuccinate, diisobutyl-2-tert-butyl-3-isopropylsuccinate, diisobutyl-2-isopropyl-3-cyclohexylsuccinate, diisobutyl-2-isopentyl-3-cyclohexylsuccinate, diisobutyl-2-tetradecyl-3-cyclohexylmethylsuccinate, diisobutyl-2-cyclohexyl-3-cyclopentylsuccinate, dineopentyl-2,3-bis(trimethylsilyl)succinate, dineopentyl-2,2-sec-butyl-3-methylsuccinate, dineopentyl-2-(3,3,3-trifluoropropyl)-3-methylsuccinate, dineopentyl-2,3-bis(2-ethylbutyl)succinate, dineopentyl-2,3-diethyl-2-isopropylsuccinate, dineopentyl-2,3-diisopropyl-2-methylsuccinate, dineopentyl-2,3-dicyclohexyl-2-methylsuccinate, dineopentyl-2,3-dibenzylsuccinate, dineopentyl-2,3-diisopropylsuccinate, dineopentyl-2,3-bis(cyclohexylmethyl)succinate, dineopentyl-2,3-di-t-butylsuccinate, dineopentyl-2,3-diisobutylsuccinate, dineopentyl-2,3-dineopentylsuccinate, dineopentyl-2,3-diisopentylsuccinate, dineopentyl-2,3-(1-trifluoromethylethyl)succinate, dineopentyl-2,3-tetradecylsuccinate, dineopentyl-2,3-fluorenylsuccinate, dineopentyl-2-isopropyl-3-isobutylsuccinate, dineopentyl-2-tert-butyl-3-isopropylsuccinate, dineopentyl-2-isopropyl-3-cyclohexylsuccinate, dineopentyl-2-isopentyl-3-cyclohexylsuccinate, dineopentyl-2-tetradecyl-3-cyclohexylmethylsuccinate, and dineopentyl-2-cyclohexyl-3-cyclopentylsuccinate.

In some embodiments, some of the group R₃ to R₆ are joined together to form a ring. In some embodiments, the compounds are as described in International Patent Application Domestic Publication No. JP 2002-542347. In some embodiments, the compounds are selected from the group consisting of 1-(ethoxycarbonyl)-1-(ethoxyacetyl)-2,6-dimethylcyclohexane, 1-(ethoxycarbonyl)-1-(ethoxyacetyl)-2,5-dimethylcyclopentane, 1-(ethoxycarbonyl)-1-(ethoxyacetylmethyl)-2-methylcyclohexane, and 1-(ethoxycarbonyl)-1-(ethoxy(cyclohexyl)acetyl)cyclohexane. In some embodiments, the cyclic succinate compounds are as described in Patent Cooperation Treaty Publication No. WO 2009/069483. In some embodiments, the cyclic succinate compounds are selected from the group consisting of diisobutyl 3,6-dimethylcyclohexane-1,2-dicarboxylate and diisobutyl cyclohexane-1,2-dicarboxylate. In some embodiments, the cyclic succinate compounds are as described in Patent Cooperation Treaty Publication No. WO 2009/057747.

In some embodiments, the groups R₃ to R₆ contain a heteroatom. In some embodiments, the heteroatom is a Group 15 atom or a Group 16 atom. In some embodiments, the Group 15 atom is nitrogen or phosphorus. In some embodiments, the Group 16 atom is oxygen or sulfur. In some embodiments, the groups R₃ to R₆ contain a Group 15 atom are the compounds as described in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. JP 2005-306910. In some embodiments, the groups R₃ to R₆ contain a Group 16 atom are the compounds as described in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. JP 2004-131537.

In some embodiments, other internal electron donor compounds that provide a molecular weight distribution comparable to that provided by the succinate-based compounds are used. In some embodiments, the other compounds are selected from the group consisting of the diphenyl dicarboxylic acid esters described in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. JP 2013-28704, the cyclohexene dicarboxylic acid esters described in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. JP 2014-201602, the dicycloalkyl dicarboxylic acid esters described in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. JP 2013-28705, the diol dibenzoates described in Japanese Patent No. 4959920, and the 1,2-phenylene dibenzoates described in Patent Cooperation Treaty Publication No. WO 2010/078494.

(2) Organoaluminum Compound (Component (b))

In some embodiments, the organoaluminum compound as component (b) is selected from the group consisting of:

trialkylaluminums;

trialkenylaluminums;

dialkylaluminum alkoxides;

alkylaluminum sesquialkoxides;

partially halogenated alkylaluminums;

dialkylaluminum hydrides;

partially hydrogenated alkylaluminums; and

partially alkoxylated and halogenated alkylaluminums.

In some embodiments, the trialkylaluminum is selected from the group consisting of triethylaluminum and tributylaluminum. In some embodiments, the trialkenylaluminum is triisoprenylaluminum. In some embodiments, the dialkylaluminum alkoxides are selected from the group consisting of diethylaluminum ethoxide and dibutylaluminum butoxide. In some embodiments, the alkylaluminum sesquialkoxides are selected from the group consisting of ethylaluminum sesquiethoxide and butylaluminum sesquibutoxide. In some embodiments, the partially halogenated alkylaluminum is selected from the group consisting of alkylaluminum dihalogenides. In some embodiments, the alkylaluminum dihalogenide is selected from the group consisting of ethylaluminum dichloride, propylaluminum dichloride, and butylaluminum dibromide. In some embodiments, the dialkylaluminum hydrides are selected from the group consisting of diethylaluminum hydride and dibutylaluminum hydride. In some embodiments, the partially hydrogenated alkylaluminums are selected from the group of alkylaluminum dihydrides. In some embodiments, the alkylaluminum dihydrides are selected from the group consisting of ethylaluminum dihydride and propylaluminum dihydride. In some embodiments, the partially alkoxylated and halogenated alkylaluminum is selected from the group consisting of ethylaluminum ethoxychloride, butylaluminum butoxychloride, and ethylaluminum ethoxybromide.

(3) Electron Donor Compound (Component (c))

As used herein, the electron donor compound as component (c) is referred to as an “external electron donor compound.” In some embodiments, the catalyst is made from or contains component (c). In some embodiments, the catalyst is not made from or containing component (c). In some embodiments, the electron donor compound is an organosilicon compound. In some embodiments, the organosilicon compound is selected from the group consisting of:

trimethylmethoxysilane, trimethylethoxysilane, dimethyldimethoxysilane, dimethyldiethoxysilane, diisopropyldimethoxysilane, t-butylmethyldimethoxysilane, t-butylmethyldiethoxysilane, t-amylmethyldiethoxysilane, diphenyldimethoxysilane, phenylmethyldimethoxysilane, diphenyldiethoxysilane, bis-o-tolyldimethoxysilane, bis-m-tolyldimethoxysilane, bis-p-tolyldimethoxysilane, bis-p-tolyldiethoxysilane, bis-ethylphenyldimethoxysilane, dicyclopentyldimethoxysilane, dicyclohexyldimethoxysilane, cyclohexylmethyldimethoxysilane, cyclohexylmethyldiethoxysilane, ethyltrimethoxysilane, ethyltriethoxysilane, vinyltrimethoxysilane, methyltrimethoxysilane, n-propyltriethoxysilane, decyltrimethoxysilane, decyltriethoxysilane, phenyltrimethoxysilane, γ-chloropropyltrimethoxysilane, methyltriethoxysilane, ethyltriethoxysilane, vinyltriethoxysilane, t-butyltriethoxysilane, thexyltrimethoxysilane, n-butyltriethoxysilane, iso-butyltriethoxysilane, phenyltriethoxysilane, γ-aminopropyltriethoxysilane, chlorotriethoxysilane, ethyltriisopropoxysilane, vinyltributoxysilane, cyclohexyltrimethoxysilane, cyclohexyltriethoxysilane, 2-norbornanetrimethoxysilane, 2-norbornanetriethoxysilane, 2-norbornanemethyldimethoxysilane, ethyl silicate, butyl silicate, trimethylphenoxysilane, methyltriallyloxysilane, vinyltris(β-methoxyethoxysilane), vinyltriacetoxysilane, dimethyltetraethoxydisiloxane, methyl(3,3,3-trifluoro-n-propyl)dimethoxysilane, cyclohexylethyldimethoxysilane, cyclopentyl-t-butoxydimethoxysilane, diisobutyldimethoxysilane, isobutylisopropyldimethoxysilane, n-propyltrimethoxysilane, di-n-propyldimethoxysilane, texyltrimethoxysilane, t-butylethyldimethoxysilane, t-butylpropyldimethoxysilane, t-butyl-t-butoxydimethoxysilane, isobutyltrimethoxysilane, cyclohexylisobutyldimethoxysilane, di-sec-butyldimethoxysilane, isobutylmethyldimethoxysilane, bis(decahydroisoquinolin-2-yl)dimethoxysilane, diethylaminotriethoxysilane, dicyclopentyl-bis(ethylamino)silane, tetraethoxysilane, tetramethoxysilane, and isobutyltriethoxysilane.

In some embodiments, the organosilicon compound is selected from the group consisting of ethyltriethoxysilane, n-propyltriethoxysilane, n-propyltrimethoxysilane, t-butyltriethoxysilane, t-butylmethyldimethoxysilane, t-butylmethyldiethoxysilane, t-butylethyldimethoxysilane, t-butylpropyldimethoxysilane, t-butyl-t-butoxydimethoxysilane, t-butyltrimethoxysilane, i-butyltrimethoxysilane, isobutylmethyldimethoxysilane, i-butyl-sec-butyldimethoxysilane, ethyl(perhydroisoquinolin-2-yl)dimethoxysilane, bis(decahydroisoquinolin-2-yl)dimethoxysilane, tri(isopropenyloxy)phenylsilane, thexyltrimethoxysilane, vinyltriethoxysilane, phenyltriethoxysilane, phenyltrimethoxysilane, vinyltributoxysilane, diphenyldimethoxysilane, diisopropyldimethoxysilane, diisobutyldimethoxysilane, i-butyl-1-propyldimethoxysilane, cyclopentyl-t-butoxydimethoxysilane, dicyclopentyldimethoxysilane, cyclohexylmethyldimethoxysilane, cyclohexyl-1-butyldimethoxysilane, cyclopentyl-1-butyldimethoxysilane, cyclopentylisopropyldimethoxysilane, di-sec-butyldimethoxysilane, diethylaminotriethoxysilane, tetraethoxysilane, tetramethoxysilane, isobutyltriethoxysilane, phenylmethyldimethoxysilane, phenyltriethoxysilane, bis-p-tolyldimethoxysilane, p-tolylmethyldimethoxysilane, dicyclohexyldimethoxysilane, cyclohexylethyldimethoxysilane, 2-norbornanetriethoxysilane, 2-norbornanemethyldimethoxysilane, diphenyldiethoxysilane, methyl(3,3,3-trifluoropropyl)dimethoxysilane, ethyl silicate, and the like.

(4) Polymerization

The starting monomers are polymerized by contact with the catalyst. In some embodiments, a pre-polymerization is first performed using the catalyst. Pre-polymerization is a step wherein a polymer chain serving as a foothold for subsequent polymerization of the starting monomers is formed on a solid catalyst component. In some embodiments, pre-polymerization is performed at not more than 40° C., alternatively at not more than 30° C., alternatively at not more than 20° C. Then, the prepolymerized catalyst is introduced into a polymerization reaction system to perform polymerization of the starting monomers. In some embodiments, polymerization is performed by polymerizing the starting monomer of component (1) and the starting monomer of component (2) using two or more reactors. In some embodiments, polymerization is performed in a liquid phase, a gas phase, or a liquid/gas phase. In some embodiments, the polymerization temperature is in the range of normal temperature to 150° C., alternatively in the range of 40° C. to 100° C. In some embodiments, the polymerization pressure is in the range of 3.3 to 6.0 MPa for polymerization in a liquid phase, alternatively in the range of 0.5 to 3.0 MPa for polymerization in a gas phase. In some embodiments, a molecular weight regulator is used. In some embodiments, the molecular weight regulator is a chain transfer agent. In some embodiments, the chain transfer agent is hydrogen or ZnEt₂).

In some embodiments, a polymerization apparatus having gradients in monomer concentration or polymerization conditions is used. In some embodiments, the monomers are polymerized in a gas phase using an apparatus having at least two interconnected polymerization zones. In some embodiments and in the presence of a catalyst, monomers are fed to a first polymerization zone including a riser and are polymerized in the first polymerization zone, while monomers are also fed to second polymerization zone including a downcomer connected to the riser and are polymerized in the second polymerization zone, and then as the monomers are circulated between the riser and downcomer, a polymer product is collected. In some embodiments, this method prevents totally or partially a gas mixture present in the riser from entering the downcomer. In some embodiments, a gas or liquid mixture that is different in chemical constitution from the gas mixture present in the riser is introduced into the downcomer. In some embodiments, the polymerization method is as described in International Patent Application Domestic Publication No. JP 2002-520426.

3. Application

In some embodiments, the polypropylene composition is a resin composition for injection molding. In some embodiments, the polypropylene composition is injection-molded into a molded article having a thickness of 0.5 to 3 mm. In some embodiments, the polypropylene composition has the physical properties described below.

1) Gloss: JIS Z8741

The gloss is a specular gloss value determined by measuring the surface of an injection-molded article at an incident angle of 60° according to JIS Z8741. In some embodiments, the gloss value is not less than 80%, alternatively not less than 85%. In some embodiments, the upper limit of gloss is not limited, alternatively is not more than about 99%.

2) Stiffness: JIS K7171

In some embodiments, the polypropylene composition has a flexural modulus of not less than 1700 MPa, alternatively not less than 1800 MPa, as determined by preparing a test piece according to JIS K6921-2 and measuring the test piece according to JIS K7171.

3) Low Temperature Impact Resistance

In some embodiments, the polypropylene composition has a puncture resistance (−10° C.) of not less than 3 J.

In some embodiments, the polypropylene composition is used as housings of home electric appliances. In some embodiments, the polypropylene composition is directly injection-molded into a final product. In some embodiments, the polypropylene composition is made into a thin-wall article by extruding or injection-molding and then into a final product by providing the thin-wall article to a secondary processing. In some embodiments, the thin-wall article is a sheet. In some embodiment, the secondary processing is vacuum forming or pressure forming. In some embodiments, the polypropylene composition is used for miscellaneous goods.

EXAMPLES Examples 1 to 4, and Comparative Examples 1, 2

A Ziegler-Natta catalyst was produced according to Example 1 of Patent Cooperation Treaty Publication No. WO 2009/050045. However, at the time of the first temperature elevation, the temperature was elevated to 110° C. instead of 100° C. The catalyst component, triethylaluminium (TEAL), and the external electron donor compound, dicyclopentyldimethoxysilane (DCPMS), were brought into contact with each other at 12° C. for 24 minutes. The weight ratio of TEAL to the solid catalyst component was 20, and the weight ratio of TEAL to DCPMS was 10. Before the catalyst system was introduced into a first polymerization reactor, the catalyst system was subjected to pre-polymerization by being suspended in liquid propylene and held at 20° C. for about 5 minutes.

The resulting prepolymerized product was introduced into a first-stage polymerization reactor in a polymerization apparatus having two stages of polymerization reactors connected in series, and then propylene was fed to the reactor, thereby producing a propylene homopolymer as component (1) in liquid phase. In a second-stage gas-phase polymerization reactor, ethylene and propylene were fed to produce an ethylene/propylene copolymer as component (2). During the polymerization, the polymerization temperatures of the first- and second-stage reactors were set to 75° C. and 80° C., respectively, and the pressures in the two reactors were also adjusted. Further, hydrogen was used as a molecular weight regulator, and the residence time distributions at the first and second stages were adjusted so as to give a specified ratio of component (1) to component (2). Table 1 shows the polymerization conditions for components (1) and (2), and the characteristic data of different compositions produced from these components.

To 100 parts by weight of the resulting resin components, 0.2 parts by weight of an antioxidant, 0.05 parts by weight of a neutralizer, and 0.20 parts by weight of a crystal nucleating agent were added. The antioxidant was BASF's B225. The neutralizer was Tannan Kagaku Kogyo Co., Ltd.'s calcium stearate. The crystal nucleating agent was ADEKA Corporation's ADK STAB NA21 phosphoric ester-based nucleating agent. The contents were stirred and mixed for 1 minute using a Henschel mixer. The mixture was extruded at a cylinder temperature of 230° C. using an NVC φ50 mm single-screw extruder produced by Nakatani Machinery Ltd., and the extruded strands were cooled in water and cut by a pelletizer to obtain a polypropylene composition in a pellet form. The results of evaluating the sample are also shown in Table 1.

Example 5 and Comparative Example 9

Polypropylene compositions were produced and evaluated by the same procedure as in Example 1, except that the polymerization conditions were varied as shown in Table 1 and that in the process of melt-kneading of the resulting resin components, 1.0 parts by weight of a filler was additionally compounded to 100 parts by weight of the resin components. The filler was IMI Fabi S.p.A.'s HTP05L talc.

Comparative Example 3

A Ziegler-Natta catalyst was produced according to the procedure disclosed in European Patent Publication No. EP 728769, Example 5, lines 48-55. A comparative polypropylene composition was produced using this catalyst and evaluated by the same procedure as in Example 1, except that the hydrogen concentration in the first-stage reactor and the hydrogen concentration and C2/(C2+C3) molar ratio in the second-stage reactor were set to the values shown in Table 1, and that 0.07 parts by weight of a crystal nucleating agent and 1.0 parts by weight of a filler were added to 100 parts by weight of the resin components. The crystal nucleating agent was ADEKA Corporation's ADK STAB NAl1 phosphoric ester-based nucleating agent. The filler was IMI Fabi S.p.A.'s HTP05L talc.

Comparative Example 4

A comparative polypropylene composition was produced and evaluated by the same procedure as in Comparative Example 3, except that the hydrogen concentration in the first-stage reactor and the hydrogen concentration and C₂/(C₂+C₃) molar ratio in the second-stage reactor were set to the values shown in Table 1, and that 0.3 parts by weight of a filler was added to 100 parts by weight of the resin components, and no crystal nucleating agent was added. The filler was IMI Fabi S.p.A.'s HTP05L talc.

Comparative Example 5

A comparative polypropylene composition was produced and evaluated by the same procedure as in Comparative Example 3, except that the hydrogen concentration in the first-stage reactor and the H2/C2 and C2/(C2+C4) molar ratios in the second-stage reactor, to which 1-butene instead of propylene was fed, were set to the values shown in Table 1, and that 0.13 parts by weight of a crystal nucleating agent was added to 100 parts by weight of the resin components, and no filler was added. The crystal nucleating agent was New Japan Chemical Co., Ltd.'s GEL ALL E-200 sorbitol-based nucleating agent.

Comparative Examples 6, 7

Comparative polypropylene compositions were produced and evaluated by the same procedure as in Comparative Example 5, except that in the process of melt-kneading of the resulting resin components, 10 parts by weight (Comparative Example 6) or 20 parts by weight (Comparative Example 7) of a filler was additionally compounded to 100 parts by weight of the resin components. The filler was IMI Fabi S.p.A.'s HTP05L talc.

Comparative Example 8

A polymer composed of homo-polypropylene and an ethylene/1-butene copolymer was produced by the same procedure as in Comparative Example 5, except that the hydrogen concentration in the first-stage reactor and the C2/(C2+C4) molar ratio in the second-stage reactor were set to 0.04 mol. % and 0.48, respectively, and that the residence time distributions at the first and second stages were adjusted so as to give a specified ratio of component (1) to component (2). A mixture was prepared consisting of 30 parts by weight of the resulting polymer with a MFR of 3.0, 40 parts by weight of SunAllomer Ltd.'s PX600N homo-polypropylene having a MFR of 7.5, and 30 parts by weight of the polymer produced in Comparative Example 3. To 100 parts by weight of the mixture, 0.20 parts by weight of an antioxidant, 0.05 parts by weight of a neutralizer, and 0.10 parts by weight of a crystal nucleating agent were added. The contents were stirred and mixed for 1 minute using a Henschel mixer. The antioxidant was BAFSF's B225. The neutralizer was Tannan Kagaku Kogyo Co., Ltd.'s calcium stearate. The crystal nucleating agent was ADEKA Corporation's ADK STAB NA18 phosphoric ester-based nucleating agent. Then, by following the same procedures as in Example 1, the mixture was melt-kneaded and pelletized. The resulting composition was evaluated.

[Measurement Conditions]

1) MFR

MFR measurement was done at a temperature of 230° C. under a load of 2.16 kg according to JIS K7210-1.

2) Ethylene-Derived Unit Content in Component (2) and Amount of Component (2) in Polypropylene Composition

¹³C-NMR measurements were performed on a sample dissolved in a mixed solvent of 1,2,4-trichlorobenzene and deuterated benzene at 120° C. The ¹³C-NMR spectra were acquired on a Bruker AVANCE III HD 400 spectrometer operating at ¹³C resonance frequency 100 MHz using a flip angle of 45°, a pulse interval of 7 seconds, a sample rotation number of 20 Hz, and an accumulation number of 5000 times.

2-1) Evaluation: Component (2) was an Ethylene/Propylene Copolymer

Using the spectrum, the total ethylene content in the composition (% by weight) was determined by the method described in the literature: M. Kakugo, Y. Naito, K. Mizunuma and T. Miytake, Macromolecules, 15, 1150-1152 (1982). The ethylene-derived unit content of the component (2) of the composition (% by weight) was calculated in the same manner as the total ethylene-derived unit content except that the integrated intensity of T′_(ββ) obtained by the following formula was used instead of the integral intensity of T_(ββ) obtained above.

T′ _(ββ)=0.98×S _(αγ) ×A/(1−0.98×A)

Where A=S_(αγ)/(S_(αγ)+S_(αδ))

The amount of the component (2) in the composition was obtained by the following equation.

Amount of component (2) (% by weight)=Total ethylene-derived unit content/(Ethylene-derived unit content of component (2)/100)

2-2) Evaluation: Component (2) was an ethylene/1-butene Copolymer

According to the method described in the page 15-16 of Patent Cooperation Treaty Publication No. WO 2011/134897, the ethylene-derived unit content of the component (2) of the composition was determined.

Diad distribution was calculated from the ¹³C NMR spectra obtained above using the following relations:

PP=100I ₁/Σ

PB=100I ₂/Σ

BB=100(I ₃ −I ₁₉)/Σ,

PE=100(I ₅ +I ₆)/Σ

BE=100(I ₉ +I ₁₀)/Σ

EE=100 (0.5(I ₁₅ +I ₆ +I ₁₀)+0.25(I ₁₄))/Σ

Where Σ=I₁+I₂+I₃−I₁₉+I₅+I₆+I₉+I₁₀+0.5 (I₁₅+I₆+I₁₀)+0.25(I₁₄)

The molar content was obtained from diads using the following relations:

P (mol %)=PP+0.5(PE+PB)

B (mol %)=BB+0.5(BE+PB)

E (mol %)=EE+0.5(PE+BE)

I₁, I₂, I₃, I₅, I₆, I₉, I₁₀, I₁₄, I₁₅, I₁₉ were integrals of the peaks in the ¹³C NMR spectrum (peak of EEE sequence at 29.9 ppm as reference). The assignments of these peaks were made according to J. C. Randal, Macromol. Chem Phys., C29, 201 (1989), M. Kakugo, Y. Naito, K. Mizunuma and T. Miyatake, Macromolecules, 15, 1150 (1982), and H. N. Cheng, Journal of Polymer Science, Polymer Physics Edition, 21, 57 (1983) and collected in Table A (nomenclature according to C. J. Carman, R. A. Harrington and C. E. Wilkes, Macromolecules, 10, 536 (1977)). The ethylene-derived unit content of the component (2) of the composition was obtained by the following equation.

Ethylene-derived unit content of the component (2) (% by weight)=100E (wt %)/(E (wt %)+B (wt %))

Where E (wt %) and B (wt %) were ethylene- and 1-butene-derived unit converted to % by weight, respectively.

The amount of the component (2) in the composition was obtained by the following equation.

Amount of component (2) (% by weight)=E (wt %)+B (wt %)

3) Intrinsic Viscosity of Xylene Solubles (XSIV) of Polypropylene Composition

Xylene solubles were obtained from the polypropylene resin samples and measured for intrinsic viscosity (XSIV).

First, 2.5 g of a polypropylene sample was put into a flask containing 250 mL of o-xylene (solvent), and the contents were stirred at 135° C. for 30 minutes under nitrogen purging using a hot plate and a reflux condenser, whereby the composition was dissolved completely; thereafter, the solution was cooled at 25° C. for one hour. The resulting solution was filtered through paper filter. 100 mL of the filtrate obtained after filtration was collected, transferred to an aluminum cup, evaporated to dryness at 140° C. under nitrogen purging, and left to stand at room temperature for 30 minutes, whereby xylene solubles were obtained.

Intrinsic viscosity measurement was done in tetrahydronaphthalene at 135° C. using an automatic capillary viscometer (SS-780-H1, produced by Shibayama Scientific Co., Ltd.).

4) Mw/Mn of Xylene Insolubles (XI) and Intrinsic Viscosity (XIIV)

When the xylene solubles were filtered, residues (a mixture of xylene insolubles and the solvent) remaining on the paper filter were collected. After acetone was added to the residues, the mixture was filtrated through the filter, and components that did not pass though the filter were evaporated to dryness in a vacuum drying oven set at 80° C., thereby obtaining xylene insolubles (XI).

The xylene insolubles were used as a sample and measured for molecular weight distribution (Mw/Mn). Mw/Mn is a value obtained through measurement of weight-average molecular weight (Mw) and number-average molecular weight (Mn) by gel permeation chromatography (GPC). PL GPC220 produced by Polymer Laboratories Ltd. was used as a GPC system, and 1,2,4-trichlorobenzene containing an antioxidant was used as a mobile phase. The columns used were UT-G (one column), UT-807 (one column) and UT-806M (two columns) produced by Showa Denko K.K., which were connected in series. A differential refractometer was used as a detector. The same solvent as used as a mobile phase was also used to prepare a sample solution of xylene insolubles. The xylene insolubles were dissolved in the solvent with shaking at 150° C. for 2 hours at a sample concentration of 1 mg/mL. 500 μL of the sample solution was injected into the columns and measurement was performed at a flow rate of 1.0 mL/min., a temperature of 145° C., and a data collection interval of 1 sec. Column calibration was performed using polystyrene standards with molecular weights of 580 to 745×10⁴ (Shodex STANDARD, produced by Showa Denko K.K.) based on the cubic spline technique. The Mark-Houwink-Sakurada coefficients used were K=1.21×10⁻⁴, α=0.707 for polystyrene standards, and K=1.37×10⁻⁴, α=0.75 for polypropylene-based polymers.

Measurement of intrinsic viscosity of xylene insolubles (XIIV) was done in tetrahydronaphthalene at 135° C. with an automatic capillary viscometer (SS-780-H1, produced by Shibayama Scientific Co., Ltd.) using the aforementioned xylene insolubles (XI) as a sample.

5) Gloss

Small plate test pieces (type D2) with a thickness of 2 mm as per JIS K7152-3 were prepared using an injection molding machine (FANUC ROBOSHOT S-2000i produced by Fanuc Corporation). According to JIS Z8741, the opposite surface of the test pieces to the gate was measured using a gloss meter (GM-26PRO) produced by Murakami Color Research Laboratory Co., Ltd. to determine the specular gloss of the test pieces at an incident angle of 60°. The molding conditions were as follows.

Molten resin temperature: 230° C. for compositions with a MFR<7 g/10 min., and 200° C. for compositions with a MFR≥7 g/10 min.

Mold temperature: 40° C.

Average injection speed: 200 mm/sec.

Hold pressure time: 40 sec.

Total cycle time: 60 sec.

6) Flexural Modulus

According to JIS K6921-2, multi-purpose test pieces (type A1) as per JIS K7139 were injection-molded from the polypropylene composition samples using an injection molding machine (FANUC ROBOSHOT S-2000i produced by Fanuc Corporation), and processed into a dimension of 10 mm wide, 4 mm thick and 80 mm long to obtain test pieces (type B2). The type B2 test pieces were measured for flexural modulus using a precision universal testing machine (Autograph AG-X 10 kN) produced by Shimadzu Corporation under the following conditions: temperature, 23° C.; relative humidity, 50%; length of span between supports, 64 mm; and test speed, 2 mm/min.

7) Spiral Flow

Molding flowability was evaluated by spiral flow testing.

The values of spiral flow were determined by measuring the flow length of injection-molded articles obtained using an injection molding machine (FANUC ROBOSHOT α-100C produced by Fanuc Corporation) equipped with a spiral flow mold (flow path cross-sectional profile: a trapezoid with an upper base length of 8 mm, a lower base length of 10 mm, and a height of 2 mm) having an Archimedes spiral formed thereon. The molding conditions were as follows.

Cylinder temperature: 230° C.

Mold temperature: 40° C.

Injection pressure: 73.5 MPa

Injection speed: 10 mm/sec.

Hold pressure: 73.5 MPa (for 3 sec.)

Cooling time: 8 sec.

8) Charpy Impact Strength

Type A test pieces were obtained by the same procedure as for flexural modulus measurement. According to JIS K7111-1, the test pieces were processed into a dimension of 10 mm wide, 4 mm thick and 80 mm long and then cut to form a notch 2 mm deep in width direction using a notching tool A-3 produced by Toyo Seiki Seisaku-sho, Ltd., whereby test pieces having form A were obtained. According to JIS K6921-2, the test pieces were measured for Charpy impact strength using a digital impact tester DG-UB produced by Toyo Seiki Seisaku-sho, Ltd. under the following conditions: temperature, 23° C.; edge-wise impact; and 1eA method.

9) Puncture Resistance

Flat plates of 130 mm×130 mm×2.0 mm were prepared using an injection molding machine (FANUC ROBOSHOT α-100C produced by Fanuc Corporation). With the use of Hydroshot HITS-P10 produced by Shimadzu Corporation, each test piece was placed on a support with a hole of 40 mmφ internal diameter in a thermostatic bath controlled at −10° C., secured with a sample holder of 76 mme internal diameter, and then struck by a striker of 12.7 mmφ diameter with a hemispherical striking face at an impact velocity of 1 m/sec. to determine puncture energy (J) according to JIS K7211-2. An average of the puncture energy values obtained for four test pieces was calculated as a puncture resistance and used as an index for low temperature impact resistance.

The molding conditions were as follows.

Molten resin temperature: 230° C.

Mold temperature: 40° C.

Average injection speed: 35 mm/sec.

Hold pressure time: 10 sec.

Total cycle time: 45 sec.

TABLE 1 Examples 1 2 3 4 5 Polymerization Catalyst ¹⁾ Suc Suc Suc Suc Suc Hydrogen conc. at 0.28 0.26 0.24 0.18 0.28 1st stage (mol. %) Hydrogen conc. (mol. %), 1.06 1.22 1.22 1.22 1.06 H2/C2 (molar ratio)* at 2nd stage C2/(C2 + C3(C4)) 0.22 0.20 0.20 0.21 0.22 at 2nd stage (molar ratio) Composition Ethylene content in 0 0 0 0 0 component (1) (wt. %) XIIV (dL/g) 1.6 1.6 1.7 1.9 1.6 Mw/Mn of XI 10 10 10 10 10 Type of component (2) ²⁾ C2C3 C2C3 C2C3 C2C3 C2C3 Ethylene content in 27 25 25 26 27 component (2) (wt. %) Content of component (2) 12 12 11 11 12 (wt. %) XSIV (dl/g) 3.2 2.9 2.9 2.9 3.2 MFR (g/10 min.) 7 7 6 4 7 Viscosity ratio 2.0 1.8 1.7 1.5 2.1 (XSIV/XIIV) Crystal nucleating agent NA21:0.20 NA21:0.20 NA21:0.20 NA21:0.20 NA21:0.20 (parts by wt.) Talc (parts by wt.) 0 0 0 0 1.0 Properties Gloss (60°) 85 85 86 86 85 Flexural modulus (MPa) 1800 1810 1820 1820 1850 Charpy impact strength 7 7 8 10 7 @ 23° C. (KJ/m²) Puncture resistance @ 7 6 6 9 7 −10° C. (J) Spiral flow (cm) 53 53 51 48 53 Comparative Examples 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Polymerization Catalyst ¹⁾ Suc Suc Ph Ph Ph Ph Suc Hydrogen conc. at 0.22 0.16 0.93 1.11 0.40 — 0.25 1st stage (mol. %) Hydrogen conc. (mol. %), 1.75 1.75 1.33 2.45 0.249* — 1.75 H2/C2 (molar ratio)* at 2nd stage C2/(C2 + C3(C4)) at 0.12 0.14 0.43 0.40 0.59 — 0.02 2nd stage (molar ratio) Composition Ethylene content in 0 0 0 0 0 0/0 0 component (1) (wt. %) XIIV (dL/g) 1.7 1.9 1.2 1.1 1.5 1.2/2.6 1.6 Mw/Mn of XI 10 10 5 5 5 7 10 Type of component (2) ²⁾ C2C3 C2C3 C2C3 C2C3 C2C4 C2C3/C2C4 C2C3 Ethylene content in 17 19 44 41 81 44/75 6 component (2) (wt. %) Content of component (2) 13 13 13 19 34 13/30 10 (wt. %) XSIV (dl/g) 2.4 2.4 2.8 2.0 1.2 2.8/1.2 2.4 MFR (g/10 min.) 6 4 20 30 18 7 8 Viscosity ratio 1.4 1.2 2.4 1.8 0.8 2.4/0.5 1.5 (XSIV/XIIV) Crystal nucleating agent NA21:0.20 NA21:0.20 NA11:0.07 0 E-200:0.13 NA18:0.10 NA21:0.20 (parts by wt.) Talc (parts by wt.) 0 0 1.0 0.3 0 10 20 0 1.0 Properties Gloss (60°) 87 87 80 82 86 82 74 85 88 Flexural modulus (MPa) 1750 1720 1650 1240 960 1290 1640 1600 1650 Charpy impact strength 8 14 7 7 41 10 9 7 6 @ 23° C. (KJ/m²) Puncture resistance @ 1 1 15 >25 >25 9 14 16 <0.5 −10° C. (J) Spiral flow (cm) 51 48 61 70 63 — — 48 54 1) Suc: Catalyst using a succinate-based compound Ph: Catalyst using a phthalate-based compound 2) C2C3: Ethylene/propylene copolymer C2C4: Ethylene/1-butene copolymer 

What is claimed is:
 1. A polypropylene composition comprising: (i) component (1) comprising a propylene homopolymer or copolymer containing 0 to 0.5% by weight of an ethylene-derived unit, based upon the total weight of the propylene homopolymer or copolymer; (ii) component (2) comprising an ethylene/propylene copolymer containing 15 to 30% by weight of an ethylene-derived unit, based upon the total weight of the ethylene/propylene copolymer; and (iii) 0.01 to 1.0 parts by weight of a crystal nucleating agent based on a total of 100 parts by weight of component (1) and component (2); wherein 1) the Mw/Mn value of xylene insolubles (XI) of the polypropylene composition as measured by GPC is in the range of 6 to 20, 2) the weight ratio of component (1) to component (2) is in the range of 82:18 to 90:10, 3) the intrinsic viscosity of xylene solubles (XSIV) of the polypropylene composition is in the range of 2.5 to 3.4 dl/g, and 4) the MFR (at 230° C. under a load of 2.16 kg) of the polypropylene composition is in the range of 3 to 10 g/10 min.
 2. The polypropylene composition according to claim 1, wherein components (1) and (2) are polymers obtained by polymerizing propylene and ethylene using a catalyst comprising: (a) a solid catalyst comprising magnesium, titanium, a halogen, and an electron donor compound selected from succinate-based compounds, (b) an organoaluminum compound, and optionally (c) an external electron donor compound.
 3. The polypropylene composition according to claim 1, wherein the crystal nucleating agent is selected from the group consisting of phosphoric ester-based nucleating agents, triaminobenzene derivative-based nucleating agents, and combinations thereof.
 4. The polypropylene composition according to claim 1, further comprising not more than 2 parts by weight of a plate-like inorganic filler based on a total of 100 parts by weight of component (1) and component (2).
 5. An injection-molded article comprising the polypropylene composition according to claim
 1. 